Addressing Perinatal Depression in Primary Care
Pregnancy is a time of increased risk for depression, and approximately one in five people are diagnosed with depression during this time. A recent study found that the most common causes of death during pregnancy are suicide and homicide, which emphasizes the importance of early identification and intervention. Although the postpartum period is a high-risk time for depression, 50% of postpartum depression started during pregnancy. In the past, physicians focused on screening for depression in the postpartum period, but based on current data, guidelines encourage routine mental health screenings throughout pregnancy. Participants will look at the risks of untreated perinatal depression. Much of the data looks at maternal peripartum depression; however, participants will also learn about the growing literature on paternal peripartum depression. Peripartum depression affects the infant as well and is associated with physical, cognitive, language, and social-emotional delays. Attendees will learn how primary care providers play a key role in screening for and identifying perinatal depression, as well as preventing and identifying developmental delays in infants associated with perinatal depression. Finally, there are many interventions for perinatal depression, and options for mild, moderate, and severe depression will be discussed. Non-pharmacological as well as pharmacological treatments – including the first medication approved for postpartum depression – will be addressed.
Brief Bio: Tessa Chesher, DO, IMH-E® is a child and adolescent psychiatrist interested in pediatric trauma, infant and early childhood mental health, and behavioral health integration into primary care. Dr. Chesher is from Oklahoma and went to medical school at Oklahoma State University College of Osteopathic Medicine. Dr. Chesher completed a psychiatry residency at the University of Oklahoma, Health Sciences Center in Tulsa followed by a child and adolescent psychiatry fellowship and an Irving Harris Fellowship in Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health at Tulane School of Medicine. Dr. Chesher was on faculty at Tulane School of Medicine as an instructor, OU School of Community Medicine in Tulsa, OK as an assistant clinical professor and OSU College of Osteopathic Medicine as an associate and then full clinical professor. Dr. Chesher is the Medical Director of the Children’s Specialty Program at Oklahoma Complete Health. Dr. Chesher owns TC2, offering consultation and training in infant and early childhood mental health.